Upgrading during free dining?

[DisneyFEB2013]

We are traveling to wDW in late Feb 2013. I am hoping for a free dining plan. If they do, I am thinking of upgrading from the free regular dining plan to the deluxe plan. It is 2 adults and 2 kids. Kids don't like to share at all. DH really does not want to be tied down because we only have counter service left. We plan on doing 2-3 character meals which are double TS credits. One caveat, I had bariatric surgery and don't eat much, at all. Is deluxe worth it? Regular might be free. It is about $500 to upgrade. We'll be there 6 nights. Any thoughts??

 

[Cafeen]

Other than CRT and Mickey's Backyard BBQ, character meals are only 1 credit.

With that said, worth varies widely.

If you feel that you are going to:

• Plan at least 2 TS meals per day, with several of the dinners being signature (or other 2 credit) meals (and focusing on lunch and dinner here)
• Eat 3 courses per meal at most every meal (lunch and dinner)
• Eat the vast majority of TS over QS

Then the DxDDP should work for you. Typically, it looks like we're going to recommend a bit more for Dx than we have in the past, but if you're getting it under free dining, and there won't be a decent enough room discount to outweigh the free dining, then you can go a bit lighter than if you had purchased it.

 

[havoc315]

Free dining is unlikely in late February, if your check in overlaps President's week.

Upgrade price from free dining is now approximately $45 in 2013.
For $45, you basically are getting 1 extra meal, and the option to convert your CS to TS.
Plus inclusion of appetizers.

If you have had bariatric surgery, you will not be able to eat 3 full Disney meals per day.. Nor do appetizers plus entrees plus desserts at every meal.

But if you would use the upgrade, in order to have 3 TABLE credits per night -- truly plan on using all 3 credits, every day -- then the $45 probably pays for itself. If you only plan on using 2 credits per day for table service, then ask yourself if your cheaper meal of the day will cost over $45.

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

Free dining is unlikely in late February, if your check in overlaps President's week.


We check in at the tail end...on February 23rd,. Any thoughts on that day for free dining?!?!

Hubby and I decided tonight we will probably just go with the "free" plan. Upgrading would be way too much food and I will probably just share what I can from his plate. I won't be eating much at all. We also decided to maybe skip the character meals or just do one. I have heard there are plenty of chances to see characters in the parks...plus according to touring.com, our week there should be a 4 out of 10.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

 

[havoc315]

Free dining is unlikely in late February, if your check in overlaps President's week.


We check in at the tail end...on February 23rd,. Any thoughts on that day for free dining?!?!

.

I wouldn't count on free dining, But there probably will be a good room discount. In 2012, there was no free dining for that date. But you would have gotten free dining in 2011.

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

Yea, I saw that too. Wondering if no free dining last year because of the special leap year thing that went on. I did see they offered it that week in 2011. I am hopeful. Plane tix are already bought so we are going that week!

 

[TwistGrl101]

We are getting free dining for the third time, and this time we are upgrading to deluxe.. I feel that it is absolutely worth it. The cost of CRT and HDDR alone will almost cover the cost. We are basically doing a character breakfast and a siignature dinner each day. Also, we will have a sit down meal on check out day. On our two past trips, we spent OOP on extra meals, and this time we won't have to do that. Also, we will now have 2 snacks each during the day. I am so excited that we upgraded, as now we can try places we otherwise would have not been able to...plus we get appetizers!

 

[PaulaSB12]

I upgraded the free dining plan in 2009, am doing it again in 2012 and also 2013. I love the food.

 

[havoc315]

Upgrading made a lot of sense in the past when it was around $30.
For 2013, it's much more questionable at a price of $45.
The lack of deluxe dining doesn't prevent anyone from trying places they want to try.
Afterall, let's say you are already on the ddp:
You use you ts credit for dinner, and cs credit for lunch. You could easily add character breakfast for well under $45.
Or let's say you use your cs for breakfast. Use your ts for lunch, with dessert.
You can then do a ts dinner, with appetizer, for under $45.
Heck, you could even do a signature dinner entree and app, for about $45.

Now, if you want to eat lobster at Narcoose's every night, then the upgrade will still certainly save money.

 

[havoc315]

Upgrading made a lot of sense in the past when it was around $30.
For 2013, it's much more questionable at a price of $45.
The lack of deluxe dining doesn't prevent anyone from trying places they want to try.
Afterall, let's say you are already on the ddp:
You use you ts credit for dinner, and cs credit for lunch. You could easily add character breakfast for well under $45.
Or let's say you use your cs for breakfast. Use your ts for lunch, with dessert.
You can then do a ts dinner, with appetizer, for under $45.
Heck, you could even do a signature dinner entree and app, for about $45.

Now, if you want to eat lobster at Narcoose's every night, then the upgrade will still certainly save money.